The Barmer Boys, a trio of musicians, stand as the torchbearers of an ancient musical lineage, dutifully preserving and propagating the time-honored traditions of the Manganiyars. Renowned as purveyors of Rajasthani folk and Sufi music on the global stage, their performances exude a remarkable blend of versatility, characterized by an effervescent energy that infuses each melodic endeavor. They seamlessly navigate an array of musical styles, encompassing the Sufi kalaams, the devotional Krishna bhajans, the buoyant wedding and celebratory songs, as well as the dynamic fusion of boisterous jams with beatboxing and live DJ sets.
The inception of this ensemble can be traced back to the year 2011 when they first united as a collective entity during the Amarrass Desert Music Festival. Shortly thereafter, in 2014, the Barmer Boys embarked on their inaugural international foray with a remarkable tour across the United States, where they captivated audiences with their performances. Their talents were further recognized and acknowledged with notable appearances at iconic world music events such as the Borneo World Music Festival and the Roskilde Festival.
Moreover, the Barmer Boys have garnered considerable acclaim for their musical prowess through their involvement in prominent media platforms including MTV CokeStudio, BBC, and NPR. The group has released two highly acclaimed albums.
“At Home,” released in 2012 under the auspices of Amarrass Records, presented their prodigious talent and resilience in the face of adversity as it was recorded amidst sweltering temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius in Barmer, Rajasthan, an environment that proved deleterious to plastic and batteries.
Subsequently, their sophomore album, “Kesariya Balm,” also produced under the Amarrass Records label in 2017, achieved widespread recognition by securing a coveted spot on the Transglobal World Music Charts Top 40 in the same year.
With a repertoire that has enthralled audiences across the globe, the Barmer Boys boast an impressive performance history that spans over 200 concerts, enchanting audiences in no less than 20 countries across seven meticulously executed international tours. Their magnetic stage presence has graced some of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe, North America, and Asia.
A fascinating aspect of the Barmer Boys’ artistic expression lies in their ability to transcend the boundaries of religion and seamlessly merge diverse faiths within their musical repertoire. Despite identifying as Sufi Muslims, they effortlessly weave melodic tributes to Hindu deities, thereby embracing a harmonious fusion of cultural and spiritual traditions. The trio consists of Manga as the vocalist and harmonium player; Rais Khan as the master of the morchang, bhapang, khartaal, and beatboxing; and Magada Khan as the accomplished dholak player.
Discography:
At Home (Amarrass Records, 2012)
Kesariya Balm (Amarrass Records, 2017)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.